Passed PPD and PDD 3 days apart, all done with ARE and AXP!

It was pretty quick for me - all in I took all of the 5.0 tests within about a 2 month period (I have a baby due in two weeks so was trying to beat that little guy or girl here!), giving myself anywhere from 9 days (PA) to 3 weeks (PPD AND PDD together) to study for each.

I ended on PDD and actually found it to be the most professionally relevant and easiest test. I have 5 solid years of experience which helped some, but I studied extremely hard and think I studied smart - not getting too caught up in the minutia of some of the resources.

As for these two tests, these are the resources I used:

Building Construction Illustrated

Architect Graphic Standards

Ballast Practice Problems + Practice Tests. These were extremely helpful in understanding how to read a question.

Gang Chen Practice test: just ok.

Designer Hacks: Cheap and great.

Architects Studio Companion - used more for PPD but because I was studying simultaneously these things bled together.

Flashcards from 4.0 tests BCBS, SS and BS. I thought these were great for studying when you're burnt out on everything else.

I looked up a lot of stuff on the internet and occasionally used ballast for certain sections.

I bought MEEB and literally didn't even crack it open. It makes a great doorstop.

All in all, if there are two pieces of advice I could give, it would be this:

1. HALF THE BATTLE FOR SOME QUESTIONS IS FINDING OUT WHAT THEY ARE ASKING.

Without going into the minutia or violating any confidentiality rules, I had 2-3 case study questions in particular that were quite frankly awfully written and put forth a very odd set of circumstances. I had to read through the question a million times to ultimately get at what I think they were asking.

2. MOMENTUM IS YOUR FRIEND

I started studying mid-January and only stopped for one weekend to do a local architecture competition. Momentum builds on itself and before you know it, you're studying out of habit. If you can maintain that momentum through the duration of your testing, it will both make studying far easier and more effective.

Congrats, Mike! I'll admit when I first saw you asking how quickly you can pass the exams, I thought you were setting yourself up for failure...glad you proved me wrong and had such success!

I agree with all your points - PDD was very relevant to what I do every day, and your study material aligned with what I studied, for the most part.

Momentum is also key - I took off 2 weeks (1 not by choice - got the flu) after passing PPD/PDD before I started studying for PA, and I had a hard time getting back in the habit. Not going to take off time before studying for the last three.

Enjoy your new freedom from the AXP/ARE, upcoming kiddo, and upcoming new title!

Yes, congrats!!! The good news is that you now have solid experience in preparing for something but not truly knowing what to expect until you actually do it - that will apply to parenting as well :).

Glad that you were able to get this done ahead of the little one, enjoy the time off in between ARE and baby. Was a little worried when you first posted here asking about testing rescheduling in case the baby came early. I had visions of you walking out of your exam only to find 2000 missed calls on your cell phone that was permanently sealed in your locker from your wife saying "where the hell are you??????????" Would have made for a good story I suppose!

Haha, believe me, that scenario definitely ran through my head about a dozen different ways! Thankfully I am happy to say I lucked out and the baby stayed put for the moment. This is baby #2, so I should be (hopefully) well prepared for the lack of sleep forthcoming!